When you start young, you open yourself up to a world of opportunity that can help you learn important life skills. Moreover, the younger you are, the more time you have to take advantage of those opportunities.

There are over 6,500 languages spoken in the world today, with German ranking as the 12th most prevalent since January 2023. Experts rank German as the fourth-easiest language to learn due to its simple grammar, pronunciation, and orthography.

When is the best time to start learning German as a second or third language?

Researchers found that 3-year-olds possess 50% of their learning capacity, while 8-year-olds have 30%. This implies that we are capable of acquiring vast amounts of knowledge right from an early age. Amazingly, research has demonstrated that it is far simpler for young people to pick up new languages faster and recreate unusual sounds and pronunciations.

Experts recommend that children start learning a new language at age six, as they can become fluent by age 10. Early childhood is the best time to introduce a second language and reap its benefits!

Our 14 years of experience have led us to believe that the best time to introduce your children to a second language is from the age of 3 to 6. The decision to let your children pursue their dreams is a subjective one. If they think they are ready, then that’s all that matters!

Why is starting German at a young age good for your child?

Better mental flexibility.

Studies have shown that bilingual children have better mental flexibility. They can adapt to new rules and situations quickly and are more creative.

Learning German is easy.

Earlier, we discussed how German is the fourth easiest language to learn. Some experts hold the opinion that young children should start out with German as their second language before they move on to more challenging languages since kids find difficult subjects easier than adults. For instance, while some adults find it difficult to use the new technologies in smartphones today, children have no trouble learning their way through these new technologies.

Develop cross-cultural understanding.

When children are exposed to a different language at such a young age, they will eventually learn to embrace the different cultures and lifestyles that come with it. This will, in turn, allow them to make new friends from different countries and broaden their cultural horizons.

Opens up new opportunities in the future.

When you put all of these benefits together, children will find themselves more confident in their skills and knowledge. And as we all know, mastering a different language opens up new opportunities in the future, such as studying or working in a foreign country.

How can parents help nurture the young ones to learn German?

Provide an exciting and immersive experience that will keep learners engaged and eager to learn more.

To generate interest from children, parents can start by exposing them to interactive learning materials such as movies, TV shows, or books that portray the joy of learning the German language and culture.

Set realistic goals.

To encourage children to continue learning, parents need to set realistic goals. Consider the learning pace of each child and be sure to keep track of their progress. The one thing that parents should avoid is overworking their children.

Be open to mistakes.

Parents need to show their children that mistakes are inevitable and encourage them to learn from their mistakes, instead of punishing them. When parents create a supportive learning environment, this will further encourage children to continue learning.

Practise the language.

One of the best ways to learn a new language is to practise it with other people. For instance, parents should encourage their children to converse in the German language when they are at home. Another option is to organise an exchange programme with a German-speaking child so that their children can experience conversing with a native speaker.

In conclusion, young children are natural language acquirers; they are self-motivated to pick up a language without conscious learning. And if there is a right time for your little ones to start learning a new language, it is now.

Start your child with German, To find out more about our classes, get in touch with us now!